Student employees are a valuable asset to the Bluffton community. Through the Learn & Earn program students learn transferable skills that can be useful in a variety of jobs. In addition, students can gain work experience in their area of academic study, identify career objectives, and also earn a paycheck.
Any student attending Bluffton University is eligible to work in the Learn & Earn program. Student workers must be enrolled in classes and may be either a residential or a commuting student. To get involved, students must complete the Learn & Earn application and return it to the financial aid office. Supervisors will review applications and select students to interview for job openings. First-year students must be willing to work any campus job to earn their awarded amount and gain experience. Returning students may choose a campus job contingent upon job availability and satisfactory past performance.
Work contracts are issued to the student providing information about pay rate and maximum hours. Most student jobs are for eight to ten hours per week. First-year students earn minimum wage. Returning students who remain in their current job for the following year or work in a job related to their major field may be eligible for a merit-based pay increase each year of $.25 per hour. Student supervisors in certain areas also receive an additional $.50 per hour. Paychecks are received on the fifteenth of each month for work done in the previous month.
Student worker training sessions are held each semester. Students are expected to attend and are paid for the one hour session. They will also receive a certificate of participation that will be placed in their career portfolio. Eight different modules are presented throughout a student's four years. Topics presented have included teamwork, customer service, diversity, budgeting and money flow, and educational/career choices.
This program currently employs more than 650 students who work in more than 60 different departments.
